When the members of The Reverb Syndicate first got together, it was just to enjoy playing a different brand of surf music.
“We thought maybe a handful of people might get it,” said Jeff Welch, of The Reverb Syndicate.
Turns out, the Ottawa-based quartet has managed to attract many fans. In their brief career, they’ve been able to play concerts in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, New York City and as far away as London, England.
On July 17, they’ll be making their second appearance at Bluefest after getting “nothing but love” when they played there in 2007, said Welch.
Despite regular multiple shows per week around Ottawa, Jason Fryar, guitarist with the River City Junction, said they’ve spent more time rehearsing lately to make sure their show has a little more polish to it.
The blues/jazz/rock group formed in 2005 and moved to Ottawa four years ago, but River City Junction will be playing Bluesfest for the first time on July 10. It’s a much bigger stage, said Fryar, and it’s more of a performance compared to intimate club shows where they sometimes have people from the audience climbing up on stage to sing and dance with them.
After playing Bluesfest in 2006, hard rockers Big Jeezus Truck are back for another round on July 10.
“Anytime you get to play a festival, it’s a different kind of vibe,” said lead Singer Slim Reaper.
“They treat people really well.” Money from the Bluesfest gig is going towards the band’s second tour of Europe.
